Mountain Biking: Tips for Women

Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport that allows you to
connect with the great outdoors while getting a terrific workout at the same
time. Although portrayed as an extreme sport by media coverage, it
doesn't necessarily have to be all about daredevil stunts and jumps if you
don't want it to be. Mountain biking is equally enjoyable for both men
and women. Because of the natural differences between men and women,
there are some mountain biking tips that are specific to women that will help make
the sport more enjoyable for them, while other tips are equally applicable to
both men and women.

1. Bikes for Women

There are specially tailored bikes that are intended to
cater for the common anatomical differences of a woman. You may find
these more comfortable and suitable for you. For instance, women
generally have a shorter torso and longer legs compared to men; women bike
designs take this anatomical difference into consideration. However, some
women do naturally have longer torsos and will not find these bikes as
suitable. When shopping for a mountain bike, make sure you try them all
out to find the one that fits you best. If it happens to be a
"man's" bike, so be it.

In general, men are stronger, faster and more aggressive on
the bike (though not always), but don't let this intimidate you. You can learn
a lot by riding with them just as the experience of riding with other women is
different. Again, this assumption may be stereotypical, but the benefit
women have over men is a greater willingness to be shown the ropes and a milder
ego (though not always).

3. General Riding Tips

You can learn a lot of riding tips, tricks and techniques
by attending a mountain biking camp. In the meantime, here are a few
things to keep in mind when on the trail:

- Always look where you want to go, not where you don't
want to go. If you look at the trees or rock or the edge of the trail,
then chances are, that's where you're headed. Keep your eyes on the trail
ahead and your wheels will follow.

- Don't be afraid of your momentum. It will help you
over small obstacles, getting up inclines and around corners. If you keep
braking, you'll have to work harder to tackle these obstacles.

4. Maintain the Neutral Position

This is the ideal position to be in when approaching a
descent or a technical part of the trail. You should be on your feet
(i.e. bottom off the seat), eyes forward, feet level and arms relaxed.

5. Dynamic Riding

Don't just sit all the way through the entire trail.
Get off your seat and move with your bike (even if you have a full suspension
bike); the ride will be more comfortable and you will find it easier to learn
how to handle technical terrain. Treat your body like a spring and let
your arms and legs work with your bike's suspension. Be prepared to move
up and down, forwards and backwards, and side to side at all times.

6. Inclines

Depending on the level of the incline, try to stay seated
at the beginning and save the standing climbs for the final stretch of the
incline. Standing climbs are also great for getting around a switchback
(tight curves that are difficult to navigate at regular speeds), for short
steep inclines, or cresting over a rise, however, they are generally not
advisable when tackling a long ascent.

Begin with a pace that you can maintain and try to keep an
extra gear you can shift into in case you need it. If the incline is
steep, move forwards in your seat, lean forwards over the handle bars and try
to maintain your pace. Avoid wandering all over the trail and keep the
front of you bike stable by pulling back and down gently on your grip.

7. Braking

There is a common biking belief that you should never use
your front brakes. That is incorrect. The front brake offers you
60% of your braking power. What you need to do is learn how to use it
correctly. Light application is required to avoid an endo, for instance,
using one or two fingers when applying the brakes or a gentle repeated pumping
action. Skidding when braking is usually an indication that you are using
too much rear brake. This is bad for the trails so learn to correct
it.

8. Descents

When tackling a descent, always return to the neutral
position to begin with. Get off your behind, move backwards and lower
your center of gravity. Be comfortable with your speed but don't let it
get out of control. If you are skidding to slow your descent, you are out
of control. Avoid gripping the seat with your legs and keep your heels
down. If you need to use the brakes, follow the rules above.

9. Switchbacks

Always look as you move around the turn and keep an eye on
the trail beyond the exit of the turn. Maintain the neutral position,
move your body backwards and extend your legs. Slow down if you need to
and keep your bike as upright as possible. You can do this by keeping
your outside elbow extended and bend the inside arm. This maximises your
tyre contact with the ground and keep your weight in balance.

10. Practice

Work on the skills you want to improve. If you need
more practice, stop at specific technical features of a trail and run through
them with someone more experienced. Alternatively, just practice the move
a few times until you feel comfortable to move on. Remember, there's
nothing like practice to help you get better at anything - mountain biking
included.

11. Enjoy!

Above all, make sure you enjoy yourself. Push
yourself, test your limits and do whatever you feel you need to, but keep it
fun. Remember, you are out there to get away from the stress of city life
and enjoy yourself.

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